Thursday, December 15, 2011

Let It Snow II

Today after school my daughter and I drove an hour to the largest mall in our area to take care of the last of her holiday shopping. I also made a stop at Barnes & Noble. Since this was probably going to be my last trip there before Christmas I picked up the gift books and magazines I know I probably won't find at one of the smaller book stores closer to home. Then I just browsed with the kid and watched her pick up things at random.

Here are two of my teen's gift purchases that I thought were neat: A set of absolutely gorgeous pop-up Snow Globe Greeting cards by Up with Paper ($14.95 for a set of three, and the price did made me wince until she pointed out that we spend that much on flat Hallmark cards, while these turn into dimensional art.) She also found a Cynthia Gale/Artmarks metal, satin cord and mother-of-pearl Bookmark in a Celtic Heart design with a tiny key ($6.95); quite elegant and the perfect gift for any passionate reader.

It's fun to shop with my teenager because she never goes for the usual/predictable gift, and yet whatever she selects always seems to suit her recipient to a T. I wish I could do that, but she didn't inherit that gene from me, so I simply enjoy watching her in action (and I just asked her what it's like shopping with me, and she said: "It's pretty fun. I like spending time with my mom. She makes me laugh and she laughs at my sad jokes. She just rushes me too much." Have to agree; when shopping I have two speeds: move and move faster.)

As for what I'm adding to the Let It Snow tote today: all seven novels from the original Darkyn series (I hardly ever sign complete sets of my series, and the few times I do it's for a charity or fund-raiser, so this is a rare opportunity to get them all.) Two more books are also going in the tote, and to give you a hint about them, both are new copies of books I wasn't planning to buy when I went out to assemble my personal Holiday TBR but bought anyway.

If you'd like a chance to win this giveaway, in comments to this post tell us which author or title you've not yet read but would like to try (or if you're still undecided about trying someone new, just toss your name in the hat.) I will draw one name at random from everyone who participates by commenting on this or any of my other Let It Snow giveaway posts from now until midnight EST on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, and send the winner the tote with all the contents. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

64 comments:

  1. I don't have any new authors I want to try right now, but I've saved your 'Nightshine', Carolyn Crane's 'Head Rush', and Meljean Brook's 'Heart of Steel' for excellent reading over christmas.

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  2. My friend recommended Laini Taylor with much emphasis, so I'm waiting for my copy to come in at the library. Mostly patiently, even. Mostly.

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  3. Oh, please, please, please enter my name. I know about your swagbags - they are awesome.

    New author that I plan to read-Carolyn Crane. I know she's not new, but I've never read any book by her, so she's new to me.. :-)

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  4. I saw The Vagabond's Breakfast by Richard Gwyn reviewed and I'd like to try that.

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  5. Wow, those 3-D cards are cool. I don't send many holiday cards as a rule, but I might have to pick up some of those for a few special people.

    I hate to admit it, but other than The Hobbit, I haven't read JRR Tolkien. The Hobbit was one of my absolute favorite books growing up, but even though I have tried several times I just can't get very far into the rest.

    Happy Holidays!

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  6. Fran Kane4:35 AM

    I've got the Age Of Five trilogy (Priestess of the White, Last of the Wilds & Voice of the Gods) by Trudi Canavan and I'm still in two minds whether to give them a go. I want to but the books are still sitting there in pristine newness!

    I also want to give Rob Thurman a go as she's always highly recommended here.

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  7. For the longest time, I resisted trying several authors (J. Frost and J.R. Ward). Once I did, I fell in love with them. Strangely though, even though those two worked out, I am more apt to try a debut author. And I am more likely to do any new author trying when I am in a reading slump. So, the most recent author that I took a chance on was Kevin Hearne. Boy, am I glad I did. He is awesome with a side of so cool. My husband likes him too. A modern day immortal Druid and his wolfhound, taking on evil. Highly recommend!

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  8. I think I'll have to say Kim Harrison. As a matter of fact I have already bought Dead Witch Walking and plan to read it over the holidays

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  9. Shizuka6:56 AM

    You've made me really curious about Rob Thurman. I want to try reading one of her books over the holidays.
    Also, I'm going to try Mary Anne Kelly's mysteries.

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  10. I would like to try Neal Stephenson.

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  11. Rob Thurman and Jim Butcher are 2 authors I've never read but would like to try.
    Jennifer

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  12. I think I need to read the Game of Thrones series so my sweetie can talk to me about them before he explodes.

    DiDi

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  13. Anonymous8:45 AM

    Lynn,
    An author that I have avoided for years is actually Robin McKinley. Well, the other day I was at Big Lots and saw one of her books in their bargain bin. It was marked down to $3, so I said what the hay, I will try her out. By the way, the book actually rung up at the register as $0.50! So, I am going to start reading Chalice as soon as I am done with this week's college homework.
    Tami
    Jacksonville

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  14. What lovely gifts your daughter picked out. :)

    I really want to read Brandon Sanderson, and Marjorie Liu. I just haven't gotten around to it yet...

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  15. I don't control impulses very well, so I tend to buy any author that appeals to me. *G* But I want in on the goodies so another author I plan on trying soon? Hmmm...Katia Lief. She's on my shelf, waiting for my to pick her up, just need to do it.

    I've seen a few people mention Carolyn Crane and she's awesome...I love her books. Different. Fun.

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  16. Some of your books, the first from Karen Marie Moning, and Robin McKinley's Sunshine are all on my TBR shelf. They're all recommended and books I want to try, but I've gone into a nonfiction binge and haven't gotten around to them. The children have their Christmas break starting next week and without having to watch the clock for pickup and dropoff times (we live too close to the school for buses but to far for walking on unshaded sidewalks most of the year) I'll probably start working through my fiction shelves again.

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  17. Want to try but not yet read: Diana Gabaldon. Historical fiction isn't usually my thing, but they are so long and interesting looking... maybe one day I'll be brave.

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  18. Faith Renfield10:04 AM

    I've heard good things about Ilona Andrews and have picked up, read the blurb and then put down books in her paranormal series. I think I'll give her a try in 2012.

    Would love to win signed copies of your Darkyn series. That would be awesome.

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  19. I would like to read a novel by Kathleen Kent. Interesting books. Always a nice change to increase my scope.

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  20. Someone whose books I have always meant to read and will definitely this year is Elle Newmark.

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  21. Throwing my name into the hat--and wishing you a Merry Christmas.

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  22. If I can't enter twice, then ignore this, because I want to join the conversation here ;).

    On my TBR pile - Kasey McKenzie and Charles Stross.

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  23. I've only read one book by Sue Grafton so I'd love to read all the rest of her books and I've never read any book by John Grisham before so I'd love to read all of his. Ever since finding your blog, I've been wanting to read your books so winning signed copies would be amazing!!

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  24. I would like to read Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series.

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  25. I'm too sick to get my brain working enough to think of a new author, but not too sick to see how beautiful the cards are. You're very fortunate. My DD's shop for clothes, clothes and more clothes. And makeup. And if you fall into that category as a recipient, then you're lucky. If not, you get clothes regardless.

    These are the children of my loins, not my mindset...

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  26. Keita Haruka12:34 PM

    Hehe. I also tend to shop in "fast forward". I only slow down in two kinds of shops: bookshops, and music shops. Everywhere else...I'm Speedy Conzales. :p

    As for which author I'd like to try...Trudi Canavan. I've heard good things about her books from my book forum friends. I've also picked up a copy of the Rubayat. Been meaning to read that too...but poetry and I have never gotten along too well, so I've been avoiding it.

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  27. So many authors I haven't tried yet that I want to -- Lev Grossman and Lauren Beukes. I want to read Saladin Ahmed's Throne of the Crescent Moon (coming out next year) and Patricia Wrede. I haven't tried any Ilona Andrews yet or Holly Black (shocking, I know), and although I've read a couple books my Marjorie Liu, not nearly enough. Oh, and this year I discovered a bunch of series by authors I'd never read before (both middle grade and adult) that I have on my read-them-through list.

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  28. Jaye Wells. I've met her several times and absolutely adore her, but I've yet to read one of her books even though I own them all.

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  29. I would like to try Suzanne Collins "Hunger Games" trilogy. I haven't read them because I usually avoid books that are labeled "YA" but my sister read them and she said I really should give them a try. I also want to read Steig Larsson's Millennium Trilogy (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) because the previews for the movie with Daniel Craig intrigue me.

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  30. There are too many authors I'd like to try to name. Tossing my name into the hat :)

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  31. I need to find a new Science Fiction author to try. Tossing my name in the hat.

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  32. I haven't read Karen Marie Moning's Fever series yet.

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  33. I think the author i've been meaning to reading the most is J.D Robb. The Death series is way too impressive. I cannot find the courage to start it yet =P

    pattepoilue(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. I've been meaning to pick up Suzanne Collins' books. I really want to read them before the movie comes out.

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  35. I'd like to read C.S. Lewis. You'd think I would have read at least something by the author by now, but sadly, I haven't!

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  36. I would like to read the Hunger Games series, I'm usually late to the party on the books that are so buzzed about. :-)

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  37. I would like to read James Patterson. His book Fire sounds fantastic and even though it is meant for kids I would love to read it.

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  38. I'm am going to read a new paranormal by Linda Renee Jones. Never heard of her that I can recall and the blurb on this upcoming book seems up my alley. I'm also eagerly waiting Fever by Joan Swan. Another new paranormal author.

    reese

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  39. I really want to give Nikki Duncan a shot, particularly her newest self-pubbed venture THE BACK-UP FIANCEE. I tend to be an "author reader" so I imagine I would end up diving into the books she had published through Samhain as well.

    I also second (or fifth, whatever) the desire to give J.D. Robb a shot. I enjoy some of La Nora's work and I am really intrigued by the futuristic aspect of Robb's work so I think it might be a safe bet. It's such a huge series, however, and since I know I'm an "author reader" I pretty much am waiting for a windfall before diving in. :)

    what_ever_for at cox dot net

    P.S. you have the best giveaways, Lynn! (no kidding!)

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  40. GayLee6:12 PM

    Ah, the tote back is even more attractive now. I've meaning to read something of Bill Bryson's, like "Mother Tongue" or "A Brief History of Everything".

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  41. I've purchased Girl with a Dragon Tattoo but haven't read it yet. The totes is gorgeous, btw. :)

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  42. Tammy S8:06 PM

    An author I'd like to try - thanks to your recomendation and others - is Rob Thurman.

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  43. Anne V.8:41 PM

    Oooo! Signed series! I'm going to try and Honor Harrington books by David Weber. A friend lent me the first book, which I've never been able to get my hands on for some reason.

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  44. Louisa Edwards and the Millenium trilogy by Larrsson.

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  45. James Patterson Love the movies but haven't read the books.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  46. New authors that I want to try:
    Karen Marie Moning, Kelly Armstrong, Karen Chance and Patricia Briggs.

    I was on a roll with the K's!

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  47. I'd like to try reading Marie Lu to see what all the hoopla is about with regards to her book Legend.

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  48. Sheila7:00 AM

    I have yet to try Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed vampire series.

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  49. Sharon Ashwood is on my list of authors to try

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  50. MK - you will LOVE Sharon Ashwood!! She's an amazing author.

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  51. I've been meaning to read Tamora Pierce. I'm a huge YA and fantasy fan, and love strong heroines. I also want to read the Mercy Thompson series, and The Iron Druid, and... I don't suppose you could throw in more time as well? (:

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  52. I would really like to read some of the books PC Cast wrote on her own. I have read and love the series she is writing with her daughter, Kristen, but the ones she writes on her own look great too.

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  53. I would love to read Kristen Painter's Blood Rights. The trilogy covers are just SO beautiful. I very rarely let that sway me, but I can't help it. LOL!

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  54. I have burned by so many "recommended reads" lately, I'm not gonna name names. Instead I'm throwing my name in the hat, and hoping for a nice surprise!

    — Bonz

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  55. I've been trying many new authors lately but there's many more I want to tackle including Sara Donati, Ilona Andrews and Deanna Raybourn.

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  56. Nancy Werlin's "Impossible", the premise of the book just sounds so interesting.

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  57. Anonymous9:02 AM

    I haven't tried reading Thea Harrison's books.

    Lia

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  58. Shannon9:14 AM

    Throwing my name into the hat -- thanks!

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  59. Anonymous3:21 AM

    I saw a review for Stone Cold Seduction by Jess Macallan - and have been looking out for it second hand or waiting for the e book to reach my price point. The blurb and world building look interesting and it has a gargoyle as a main character.

    Heather from Oz
    sorry tried to sign in with Goggle but it want's me to sign up for a blogger account!

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  60. Well,
    I always try any author I am interested in! Love my Nook for the instant purchase power so I guess I am just popping my name in the hat.

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  61. Athena W.6:24 PM

    I keep meaning to try something from Devon Monk. I hear good things but alas I am leary of trying her for some reason. I pick her books up then promptly put them back down. Maybe this holiday season I'll finally manage it?

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  62. LaurieF10:00 PM

    Been meaning to try Seanan McGuire's October Daye series.
    Already recieved a couple of gift certificates to bookstores so maybe now is the time to try them.

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  63. I want to try Sarah MacLean and Jenn Bennett. I just tried Jessica Sims and I greatly enjoyed her.

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  64. There really isn't anyone I would like to try at the moment so I would like to toss my name into the hat, thanks!

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